Morocco’s Military and Security Alliance with the
United States
A Running Start
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In 1777, Morocco became the first country to recognize the newly independent United States as a
sovereign nation. In 1786, the two countries signed the US-Morocco Treaty of Peace and Friendship,
which remains the longest-standing treaty in American history. Though it primarily governed maritime
trade, the document included several stipulations relating to security and military relations, among them:
o
“If either of the Parties shall be at War with any Nation whatever, the other Party shall not
take a Commission from the Enemy nor fight under their Colors.”
o
“If any Vessel of either of the Parties shall have an engagement with a Vessel belonging to
any of the Christian Powers within gunshot of the Forts of the other, the Vessel so engaged
shall be defended and protected as much as possible untill she is in safety; And if any
American Vessel shall be cast on shore on the Coast of Wadnoon (1) or any coast
thereabout, the People belonging to her shall be protected, and assisted untill by the help of
God, they shall be sent to their Country.”
Allies in Wartime
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Morocco has fought alongside or sided with the US throughout American history:
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During World War I, Moroccan soldiers fought alongside Allied forces.
o
In World War II, Morocco supported Allied forces and in January 1943 hosted US President
Franklin Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Free French commander
General Charles De Gaulle in what became known as the Casablanca Conference, where the
Allies agreed on their strategy to end the war.
o
During the Cold War, Morocco remained officially non-aligned, but was favorable toward
the West and in 1982 signed an agreement with the US that allowed American forces access
and transit rights to Moroccan Air Force bases.
o
During the First Gulf War, Morocco was the only Maghreb member of the US’s coalition.
o
Following the Bosnian War, Moroccan forces served in the Stabilization Force for BosniaHerzegovina. Morocco was the only Arab or African country to participate.
o
Morocco joined NATO’s Kosovo Force in 1999, contributing 11,000 troops over 14 years.
o
Morocco supported the US’s War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has taken on an
active role in the US’s global counterterrorism efforts:

In 2011, Morocco and the US joined 28 other countries as founding members of the
Global Counterterrorism Forum—an initiative to “reduce the vulnerability of people
everywhere to terrorism by effectively preventing, combating, and prosecuting
terrorist attack s and countering incitement and recruitment to terrorism.”

Morocco was the first Maghreb country to join the US’s anti-ISIS coalition in 2014.
This material is distributed by the Moroccan American Center for Policy on behalf of the Kingdom of Morocco. www.moroccoonthemove.com
Additional information is available at the Department of Justice.
Partnering for Success
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Beyond cooperation during hot conflicts, the US and Morocco maintain strong military relations.
o
Since the late 90s, Moroccan and American forces have participated in a joint training
exercise called African Lion. Under US Africa Command since 2008, African Lion has become
the largest joint military exercise on the continent, with hundreds and even thousands of
troops participating.
o
In 2003, Morocco established a partnership with the Utah National Guard as part of the US
National Guard State Partnership Program.
o
In 2004, and “in recognition of the close US-Morocco relationship, our appreciation for
Morocco's steadfast support in the global war on terror, and for King Mohamed's role as a
visionary leader in the Arab world,” then President George W. Bush named Morocco a major
non-NATO ally. It was the first Maghreb country to achieve this status, and is one of just 16
worldwide as of 2016.
o
In 2005, Morocco joined the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership—a US governmentfunded and -implemented effort designed to counter violent extremism in the Sahara-Sahel
region.
o
In 2008, Morocco purchased 24 Advanced F-16 Block 52 aircraft, which, according to the
Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), would enhance “Morocco's
capability to support US efforts in the global war on terrorism." Other Moroccan purchases
of US defense materiel include T-6 trainer aircraft, AGM-D air-to-ground missiles, AM 120-C7
missile systems, and refurbishment worth over $1 billion of Abram M1A1 tanks. In 2016,
DSCA announced Morocco’s purchase of TOW missiles. The missiles are to be manufactured
in Arizona and New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of August 2018.
o
Under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) initiative, the US provides assistance to maintain
aging US-origin materiel; boost maritime surveillance to address illegal immigration,
smuggling, drug trafficking, and illicit fishing; procure transport and logistics equipment; and
upgrade aerial surveillance.
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Through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, Moroccan
students are sent annually to Professional Military Education (PME) classes at US services
schools.
For an overview of US spending on the Moroccan military, see the State Department Foreign Operations
Budget Justification.
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